Scala is less difficult to learn than Python. It creates extra work for the interpreter at runtime. The data types are decided by it at runtime. Scala and Python languages are equally expressive in the context of Spark so using Scala or Python can achieve the desired functionality.
Scala is definitely the better choice for Spark Streaming functionality because Python Spark support is not advanced and mature like Scala. Scala also provides better performance than Python due to its speed and therefore can be the preferred choice of a programming language when it comes to handling large data sets. Performance is mediocre when Python programming code is used to make calls to Spark libraries, but if there is a lot of processing involved, Python code becomes much slower than the equivalent Scala code. Data scientists often prefer to learn both Scala for Spark and Python for Spark, but Python is often the second favourite language for Apache Spark, as Scala came first.
Many organisations favour the speed and simplicity of Spark, which supports many application programming interfaces (APIs) available from languages such as Java, R, Python and Scala. Learning Scala enriches the programmer's knowledge of several novel abstractions in the type system, new functional programming features, and immutable data. Scala allows the expression of general programming patterns in a very concise and efficient format that minimises the number of lines of code. Scala allows developers to write efficient, readable and maintainable services without hanging program code in an unreadable web of callbacks.
A quick look at the salaries offered by Python and Scala skills shows that Scala as a skill offers more salary in the job market than Python. Let's explore some important factors to consider before deciding on Scala vs Python as the primary programming language for Apache Spark. However, when there is significant processing logic, performance is an important factor and Scala definitely offers better performance than Python, for programming against Spark. Scala was developed to allow common programming patterns to be expressed in a concise and type-safe format.
While both of these programming languages are great for developing innovative projects in new-age technologies, there are significant differences between Python and Scala. Before choosing a language for programming with Apache Spark, it is necessary for developers to learn Scala and Python to become familiar with their features.
